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A 6" f8 is an excellent choice that will last a lifetime.
You're only a couple of hours away from Sydney, why not make a day trip out of it and visit a couple of stores or at least the one you intend on buying from. Phone first to make sure they have the 'scope on display too.
Yes the petrol will cost more than the freight but at least you'll see what you are getting and you can bring the 'baby' home yourself.
If you're in no hurry wait for another reason to go to Sydney and make a detour to an astro shop on the way. Bintel are in the city near the fish markets and Andrews is out west off the M7 before the M4.
May I suggest a Telrad when you can afford it (extra $80) as one of your first accessories to give you head up display pointing ability. Don't worry about laser pointers as these are a real problem with aircraft especially if you're under a flight path. A 6" f8 will have a 1.25" focuser so you will never have to worry about expensive 2" eyepieces (unless you upgrade your focuser which will involve some cutting).
Your 6" f8 will either come with a 25mm and 10mm or 9mm eyepiece depending on where you buy. These will give you the following powers and true fields:
f.l. = 1200mm, assuming 50 deg apparent field eyepieces.
25mm gives 48x and 1 deg True Field Of View.
10mm gives 120x and 0.4 deg TFOV.
9mm gives 133x and 0.37 deg TFOV.
For a bit more TFOV you could add a 32mm or 40mm Plossl at a later date if you wish or add a mid power say 12 to 15mm Plossl. I highly recommend the Tele Vue Plossls but the Meade 4000 series Plossls are very well priced and perform very well too.
You can also add a quality 2x or 3x (or both) Barlows that double and triple the power of any eyepiece.
Planets are best bewteen 120x and 200x depending on seeing (sometimes a bit more). A quality 20mm Plossl and 2x & 3x quality Barlow will give you 60x, 120x & 180x which is just about all you need for Planets (120x & 180x) and clusters (60x). Add a 15mm Plossl and you also get 80x, 160x & 240x, (the latter two with the Barlows).
I know it is a lot to think about and more money too but it doesn't all have to happen immediately. Get the 'scope first and just use what comes with it. It doesn't matter what you have as long as you are enjoying it.
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